Course Descriptions

CNS 501 Psychopathology and Diagnosis (3) An exploration of understanding of mental illness. The study of the classification, etiology, and treatment of psychopathology and personality disorders. The course deals with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM) categorization of criteria for specific diagnoses.

CNS 502 Counseling Children and Adolescents (3) Theory and practice of counseling children and adolescents. Characteristics of at-risk children and exceptional needs students and the provision of counseling services to these children. Topics include abnormal behavior, exceptionalities, death and dying, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, youth violence, teenage pregnancy, risky sexual behavior, disruptive behavior disorders, childhood depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.Prerequisites: CNS 501 and CNS 514 with a grade of B or better.

CNS 504 Statistics (3) An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics, bivariate distributions, sampling, estimations, and tests of hypotheses. A one-hour tutorial per week is required as a part of this course.

CNS 505 Testing and Appraisal (3) Introduction to psychometric/edumetric theory to include test item construction, reliability, validity, standardization, and decision making. Introduction to commonly used assessment devices and procedures in various counseling arenas, such as intelligence tests, ability tests, achievement tests, screening tests, interest tests, and personality tests.Prerequisite: CNS 504, Statistics with a grade of B or better.

CNS 510 Foundations of Faith-Based Counseling (3) A study of basic concepts of evangelical and Reformed Christian theology with special emphasis on biblical anthropology and the way it informs and critiques various counseling theories.

CNS 512 Research Methods and Program Evaluation (3) Course provides the student with the necessary skills to professionally evaluate the current research in the field of counseling. Topics include research strategies, scaling and coding, internal and external validity, and program evaluation. Prerequisite: CNS 504, Statistics, with a grade of B or better.

CNS 514 Human Development (3) An exploration of major events in human development from conception through death. Developmental concepts that have universal application will be covered.

CNS 520 Counseling Theories (3) A comprehensive overview and integration of the major theoretical perspectives on the counseling process. An examination of the historical development of counseling theory, an exploration of affective, behavioral, and cognitive counseling theories, and the application of theoretical material to case studies. Foundational elements of the counseling process will be explored via academic activities and observation and critique of videotaped master therapist counseling sessions. Students will develop an initial personal theoretical orientation for counseling endeavors.

CNS 521 Counseling Skills (3) A comprehensive overview, integration, and application of major theories and techniques employed in the counseling process. Specific advanced counseling interventions by master counselors will be reviewed via videotape and critiqued. Initial counseling skills will be developed via in vivo role play and will be reviewed and critiqued by the instructor. Basic models and strategies of consultation will be explored from theoretical and pragmatic points of view, and applied to case material.

Prerequisite: CNS 520, Counseling Theories, with a grade of B or better.

CNS 533 Career and Lifestyle Counseling (3) A survey of theory and practice of counseling associated with career selection, career development, relationships amony career, life-style, and family, and relevant appraisal tools.

CNS 534 Social and Cultural Foundations (3) Theories and techniques of effective multicultural counseling to include consideration and appreciation of cultural, racial, ethnic, disability, gender, and other diversity issues within a pluralistic society. Students will examine the role of the counselor in advocacy, conflict resolution, and cultural awareness.

CNS 536 Group Counseling (3) Elements of group dynamics, ethical issues special to group work, and group leadership skills. Students will compare four types of groups—task and work groups, psycho educational groups, group counseling, and group psychotherapy. Various theoretical approaches to groups counseling as well as adaptations with specific populations and specific settings will be addressed. Includes a 10-hour group laboratory experience.

CNS 537 Professional Issues & Ethics for Marriage & Family Counselors-Therapists (3) A survey of professional identity, ethical standards, and legal codes for marriage and family counselors and therapists. Topics will include: history and philosophy of the counseling profession, knowledge of professional roles including consultation and group work, and moral principles and virtues in counseling practice, training, supervision, and consultation.

CNS 538 Professional Issues & Ethics for Mental Health Counselors-Therapists (3) A survey of professional identity, ethical standards, and legal codes for mental health counselors and therapists. Topics will include: the history and philosophy of the counseling profession; knowledge of professional roles including consultation and group work; and moral principles and virtues in counseling practice, training, supervision, and consultation.

CNS 539 Professional Issues & Ethics for School Counselors (3) This course is a survey of professional identity, ethical standards, and legal codes for professional counselors with emphasis on elementary and secondary school counseling. Students are to demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply, in decision-making situations, ACA and ASCA ethical standards, the Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators, and legal obligations and public policies that address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success of all counseling clients, particularly K-12 students.

CNS 541 Mental Health Counseling (3) Assumptions and roles of mental counseling within the context of the community and its health and human service systems, including functions and relationships among interdisciplinary treatment teams, and the historical, organizational, legal, and fiscal dimensions of the public and private mental health care systems.

CNS 545 Substance Abuse Counseling (3) This course provides a basic introduction to the assessment and counseling treatment of clients manifesting alcohol and substance abuse disorders. Theoretical formulations, etiological issues, presenting symptomatology, and courses of these disorders, and interventions models will be addressed.

CNS 548 Psychopharmacology (3) A review of the most commonly used drugs for psychological conditions, their effects and their side effects, and the methods of action. Particular attention is paid to the synaptic events relevant to drug actions.

CNS 563 Organization and Management of School Counseling Programs (3) The course covers the nature, development, and management of school counseling programs, and differences between elementary and secondary school contexts. Students will develop knowledge of concepts, skills, and issues necessary to function effectively as school counselors. Students will be able to assess, plan and integrate the elements of a comprehensive program that reflects the programmatic and ethical standards of the America School Counselor Association, including structuring of essential services to foster personal, social, educational, and career development in students.

CNS 564 Curriculum, Learning, Inclusion, and Instruction for School Counselors (3) The course focuses on school counselors in K-12 settings as they work with students in contexts that include parents, administrators, and teachers. Students will be able to articulate the standards-driven nature of the curriculum, learning theory, instructional practice, and inclusion and explain how they relate to each other and define the work of teachers. Students will learn to conceptualize their work as counselors: in terms of development of counseling curriculum; as depending on learning principles being relevant to their success in working with students, parents, and teachers; in the context of the principles and values on which inclusion is based; and as an arena in which their work with students, teachers administrators, parents and other community agents is essentially instruction. Prerequisite: CNS 563 Organization and Management of School Counseling Programs.

CNS 565 School Counseling Practicum (3) The course places students in professional setting in which they will develop counseling skills with school-ages children for 100 hours during the semester. Students in the course are required to have 60 hours of direct service contact with K-12 students through individual or group counseling. They also participate in 1½ hours of weekly group supervision with the Geneva practicum instructor and, in addition, receive an hour a week of additional supervision with the course instructor. Prerequisites: Acts 33 and 34 clearances and proof of mal practice insurance.

CNS 566 Elementary school Counseling Internship (6) The internship is a field experience in which students apply knowledge and hone skills needed for successful practice as an elementary school counselor. This is a 300-hour internship under the supervision of an approved site supervisor who is a practicing elementary school counselor. As part of the 300 hours, interns are to have a minimum of 70 clock hours of direct service to students and are to demonstrate master-level performance in: the essential services of counseling, consulting, coordinating, and appraising; planning and implementation of classroom guidance activities; professional conduct in interactions with field and college supervisors, students, teachers, administrators, and community members; and such other activities defined as the responsibility of the school counselor at their elementary school placement. Supervision is for one hour weekly in the field and 1½ hours per week on campus. Prerequisites: Acts 33 and 34 clearances and proof of mal practice insurance.

CNS 567 Secondary School Counseling Internship (6) The internship is a field experience in which students apply knowledge and hone skills needed for successful practice as a secondary school counselor. This is a 300-hour internship under the supervision of an approved site supervisor who is a practicing secondary school counselor. As part of the 300 hours, interns are to have a minimum of 70 clock hours of direct service to students and are to demonstrate mastery-level performance in: the essential services—counseling, consulting, coordinating, and appraising; planning and implementation of classroom guidance activities; professional conduct in interactions with field and college supervisors, students, teachers, administrators, and community members; and such other activities defined as the responsibility of the school counselor at their secondary school placement. Supervision is for 1 hour weekly in the field and 1½ hours per week on campus. Prerequisites: Acts 33 and 34 clearances and proof of mal practice insurance.

CNS 575 Foundations of Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy (3) This course is designed to introduce students to the history, philosophy, etiological premises that define the practice of marriage and family counseling/therapy. The domain of professional ethics, the legal system, and professional organizations pertaining to the field will be presented. Professional issues will be presented as well as implications pertaining to social, cultural, diversity, and equity pertaining to couples and families. Students will articulate a foundation view of marriage, couple, and family counseling consistent with their own biblical worldview.

CNS 576 Contextual Dimensions: Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy (3) This course is designed to introduce students to couples and families as social and theological systems with an understanding of counseling/therapy through the development of the marital and family lifestyle. To be studied are: the family lifestyle; marital and family issues; developmental stages; healthy family functioning; socioeconomics status; religious belief systems; cultural heritage; family of origin; and intergenerational influences. Focus will also contain a variety of treatment issues that couples and families face.

CNS 577 Family Therapy (3) This course is designed for students to learn knowledge and skills for the practice of family therapy. Models of family therapy will be reviewed and critiqued in light of the Christian worldview of the student. Techniques, assessments, interventions, and strategies will be discussed and role-played to develop preventative approaches as well as resolving specific problems that impede family functioning.

CNS 578 Marital Therapy (3) This course is designed for students to learn knowledge and skills for the practice of couple and marital therapy. Models of marital therapy will be reviewed and critiqued in light of the Christian worldview of the student. Techiniques, assessments, interventions, and strategies will be discussed and role-played to develop preventive approaches as well as resolving specific problems that impede marital functioning.

CNS 581 Marriage & Family Counseling/Therapy Practicum (3) This course is a 100-hour experience on and off campus under supervision of an experienced master’s-lever clinician. It includes 40 hours of direct service with couples or families; group supervision 1½ hours per week on campus; and 1 hour of additional faculty supervision per week. Development of clinical skills is a key focus of the practicum. Prerequisites: CNS 521 and 536 with a grade of B or better. Requires Act 33 and 34 clearance and proof of malpractice insurance.

CNS 582 Marriage & Family Counseling/Therapy Internship (6 credits over two semesters) This course is a 600 hour experience off campus under supervision of an experienced master’s-level clinician. It contains 300 direct service hours with couples, families, or individuals with marital or family issues. Supervision is held for 1 hour weekly in the field and in group supervision for 1½ hours per week on campus. Students must be registered for this course while completing the internship. Prerequisites: Act 33 and 34 clearance and proof of malpractice insurance.

CNS 586 Mental Health Counseling Practicum (3) This course is a 100 hour experience which includes 40 hours of direct service with individuals and groups; group supervision 1 ½ hours per week on campus; and 1 hour of additional faculty supervision per week. Open only to students who have been admitted to the program as degree seeking students. Prerequisites: CNS 521 and 536 with a grade of B or better. Requires Act 33 and 34 clearance and proof of malpractice insurance.

CNS 587 Mental Health Counseling Internship (9 credits over two semesters) This course is a 900-hour experience off campus under supervision of an experienced master’s-level clinician with direct counseling and service hours with individuals and groups. Supervision is held for 1 hour weekly in the field and in group supervision 1 ½ hours per week on campus. Open only to students who have been admitted to degree candidacy and who have completed all other course-work. Students must be registered for this course when completing the internship. Prerequisites: Act 33 and 34 clearance and proof of malpractice insurance.